A national sandwich chain has set its sights on the North East as it plans its expansion for the next five years.
Despite difficult market conditions on the high street, the Subway chain, which currently employs more than 800-1000 people in Tyne Tees and North Yorkshire, plans to open another 50 stores by the end of 2011, with a goal to reach 200 stores by 2015.
Josh Thompson, North East Development Agent for the chain calls Subway’s success “no accidentâ€.
“Franchising he adds is one bright spot in a lagging economy,†he said. “Franchises are better able to weather economic downturns because of their collective strength afforded by their brand identity. Independent operators just don’t have the same leverage in a marketing arena.